In today's open source roundup: A fake Android app temporarily rockets up the Google Play rankings. Plus: elementary OS "Isis" preview, and a review of Slacko Puppy 5.7

ITworld|April 9, 2014

Fake apps seem to abound on Android at times. Google Play users were recently taken in by an app that promised to increase Android security but actually did nothing. Android Police reports that the app called "Virus Shield" cost users $3.99, and in return all it did was change the main graphic to make them think it was protecting their Android device.

There's just one problem: it's a complete and total scam. We don't mean in the slightly skeevy way that some anti-virus and general security software overstates dangers and its own necessity. We mean it's literally a fake security app: the only thing that it does is change from an "X" image to a "check" image after a single tap. That's it. That's all there is, there isn't any more.

Don't believe us? Then check out the code for yourself - we've decompiled the app and mirrored the java code on GitHub, minus a few art assets. We've confirmed that this app is totally and completely devoid of any security benefit, but you don't have to take our word for it - several Google+ users have helped us to confirm its bogus nature.

I'm not sure what the solution is to this problem, but it's clear that Google needs to do something about it. I can't imagine the frustration and anger users feel after spending their hard earned money on an app only to find out that it doesn't actually do anything.

elementary OS "Isis" preview

Softpedia has a preview of the "Isis" release of elementary OS, and was very impressed with it.

The overall look of the main desktop doesn't seem to have changed significantly, but looks can be deceiving. The top bar is now completely transparent, but with the help of some powerful heuristics, the bar adjusts itself to match the color of the background.

Also, the Switchboard (the settings menu) has been improved a great deal with new icons and the performance is spot on. There is no stuttering and everything seems to be very smooth. The toggle switches have also been updated to better integrate with the overall theme.